The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and its sister body, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have expressed deep shock over the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of their members.
In separate statements signed and made available today, the Unions condole with the families of their members who were involved in the crash that occurred on the early hours of Thursday 24th October 2024 in Rivers State.
According to PENGASSAN, “The deceased members were valued members of the PENGASSAN family and dedicated professionals in the Oil and Gas industry. Their contributions to the Sector and to our Association will be sorely missed.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims during this difficult time. We share in their grief and offer our unwavering support as we navigate this tragic event. We are committed to providing assistance to the bereaved families in any way possible.”
The Association called on all her members everywhere through the Branches to observe a moment of silence and reflection in honor of our fallen Comrades.
“Their dedication and service to the Oil and Gas industry will never be forgotten,” PENGASSAN assured.
In the same vein, NUPENG also extended its condolences to the families of the victims, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), staff and management of Arion Energy Services Limited, among others over the heartbreaking accident and losses.
According to a statement by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, “We are doubly saddened to note that amongst the deceased were two highly committed and frontline members of NUPENG. These were Comrade Boris Dorbi, the dependable Branch Chairman of NUPENG and Comrade Lawrence Alu, who was also a respected member of NUIM Antan Branch of NUPENG. Their unfortunate and untimely death is a significant blow to the oil and gas industry and our collective workforce.
“As we mourn our deceased comrades and colleagues, we stand united in our grief and offer our prayers and condolences to the bereaved families and all those impacted by this tragedy. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find the strength to bear these irreparable losses.”
The Association also reiterated its commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of our members and the wider community
The two Associations are currently working to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the crash and are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities in their investigation, urging all parties involved to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the cause of the accident and urgent measures put in place to prevent future tragedies.
